CVE-2020-29005 in Push Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 01/29/2021
The API in the Push extension for MediaWiki through 1.35 used cleartext for ApiPush credentials, allowing for potential information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-29005 affects the Push extension for MediaWiki versions 1.35 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the handling of authentication credentials. This issue specifically impacts the Application Programming Interface component responsible for push notification functionality within the MediaWiki platform. The flaw manifests in the extension's use of cleartext transmission for ApiPush credentials, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the confidentiality of sensitive authentication information. MediaWiki serves as a widely adopted content management system for collaborative platforms including Wikipedia, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its push notification capabilities for user engagement and system communication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the Push extension's failure to employ encrypted transmission protocols for credential data during API interactions. When users or systems interact with the push notification service through the MediaWiki interface, authentication credentials are transmitted in plain text format rather than being secured through encryption mechanisms such as TLS/SSL. This cleartext exposure occurs at multiple points in the communication flow including initial authentication requests, credential validation processes, and ongoing API interactions. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which categorizes "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information" and CWE-319, addressing "Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information" in network communications. Attackers with access to network traffic can easily intercept and extract these credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to push notification services and associated systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader security implications for MediaWiki installations. Organizations using the Push extension face potential unauthorized access to their push notification infrastructure, which could enable attackers to send malicious notifications, disrupt user communications, or gain access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability affects not only individual user accounts but also administrative credentials used for managing push notification services, potentially allowing attackers to modify notification settings, disable services, or escalate privileges within the MediaWiki environment. Given that MediaWiki installations often serve as collaborative platforms for sensitive information sharing, the compromise of push notification credentials could lead to data leakage, unauthorized content modification, or service disruption. The attack surface is particularly wide as the vulnerability affects all versions through 1.35, representing a substantial portion of deployed MediaWiki installations that may remain unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-29005 require immediate implementation of secure transmission protocols and credential management practices. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to MediaWiki versions that address this vulnerability, specifically those beyond 1.35 where the Push extension properly implements encrypted credential handling. Network administrators must ensure that all API communications utilize TLS 1.2 or higher encryption protocols to prevent cleartext transmission of sensitive data. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect and alert on unauthorized access attempts to push notification services and credential interception activities. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive credential rotation for all push notification services and implement multi-factor authentication where possible. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which addresses credential harvesting through network sniffing and interception, making proper encryption implementation a critical defensive measure against this specific attack vector. Regular security audits and penetration testing should verify that all API endpoints properly implement encrypted credential transmission to prevent recurrence of similar vulnerabilities.